Liphook United Applauds Achievements

Youth and Mini Soccer Presentation Evening 2012

At the conclusion of another great season, Liphook United Football Club and friends gathered on Saturday 16 June at The Millennium Centre, Liphook for a spectacular presentation evening to applaud the achievements of its members.

Liphook United FC Presentation Evening

Liphook United Vice-Chairman, Martin Feast, welcomed everyone and introduced the members of the Club's executive committee. At the close of this season, he said, the Club has 16 youth and mini soccer teams with over 250 youngsters training and playing in non-competitive and competitive matches. In addition, 5 teams represented the Club at county level against other clubs in the Hampshire Cup.

Martin drew attention to the outstanding commitment of Liphook United players which has resulted in high levels of achievement across all age groups and an excellent reputation for the Club. The Under 10 Crusaders and the Under 14 Lions teams will shortly be honoured by the North East Hampshire Youth League (NEHYL) as runners-up in their respective divisions, and many more have maintained, if not improved, their position in the League rankings. This season also saw the return of a group of former players as the Liphook United Under 15s. They played in the Mid Solent Youth Football League (MSYFL), achieved excellent results and won the Under 15s League Cup.

Everyone, no doubt, is aware of the success of the men's teams as Hampshire Premier Football League (HPFL) Senior Division Champions and winners of the HPFL Senior Cup. However, you may not be aware that some of our Under 16s team have been participating in the men's training sessions and have played in men's matches. We look forward to more players in the future progressing from mini soccer to youth football and then into our senior teams.

Liphook United FC Presentation Evening Audience

For each team in turn, the team manager gave a brief report of their accomplishments whilst photographs of their teams and players in action were projected on to the massive screen behind. Liphook United Chairman, Nigel Marr, then presented each player, to rapturous applause, with an individual medal or trophy for their hard work and dedication to the Club over the season.

Typically based upon performance and/or votes, specific players were then called upon to receive awards from the Chairman: Player of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and Most Improved Player. Following a photo session (see below), it was then the turn of the manager, coach or administrator to receive a presentation of a declicious grape drink in thanks for their work on behalf of the Club.

Also during the evening, a special award was made by the Chairman for outstanding service to Liphook United Football Club, with the Chairman's Shield being presented to Neil Pirie, Youth Secretary and Webmaster.

Nigel Marr presents the Chairman's Shield to Neil Pirie for outstanding service to the Club

In his closing remarks, Martin Feast, noted that the successes of the players and teams were made possible by the enthusiastic band of parents and volunteers that made it all happen, and invited any interested parents to come forward and join in.